2013 WJC Preview: USA looks to improve on poor showing at last World Juniors

After a disappointing seventh-place finish at last year’s World Junior Championship, Team USA will look to better that this year in hopes of taking home their first medal since 2011 and their first gold since 2010.

NHL-drafted collegians comprise much of this year’s roster, but there are some high-caliber Major Junior players also in the mix. The United States returns three players from last year’s squad – goaltender John Gibson (ANA), defenseman Jacob Trouba (WPG) and forward J.T. Miller (NYR).

Blainville-Boisbriand Armada forward Stefan Matteau (NJD) and University of Minnesota defenseman Brady Skjei (NYR) were Team USA’s final two cuts. Earlier, Plymouth Whalers forward Stefan Noesen (OTT) was ruled ineligible for the tournament by the IIHF after the OHL handed him a ten-game suspension for a hit back on Dec.… read more